Upcoming offerings

Course description

This six-day course provides students with knowledge and skills necessary to identify children and adolescents involved in firesetting. The course addresses how to establish programs to meet the needs of these youths and their families. Skills essential to meet the Youth Firesetting Intervention Professional Standard which is part of National Fire Protection Association 1035, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire and Life Safety Educator, Public Information Officer, and Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist and Youth Firesetter Program Manager are discussed and practiced throughout the course.

The course framework guides practitioners through the process of developing a comprehensive strategy to combat the misuse of fire and incendiary devices by juveniles. The course focuses on how identification, intake, screening, disposition and follow-up are used to mitigate youth firesetting behavior. It also empowers students with knowledge on how to develop, implement and evaluate a youth firesetting prevention and intervention program. Students visit a local residential treatment program for youth firesetting.

Note: There is a pre-course assignment students should bring to class.

Selection criteria

Individuals must have or will have responsibilities related to functions associated with a youth firesetting and intervention program for their agency or their community.

Priority will be given to the following: two members of a jurisdiction applying together who have or will have responsibilities related to youth firesetting prevention and intervention. One of the members must be from the fire service. The other applicant can be from law enforcement, mental health, social services, juvenile justice or other agencies involved in youth firesetting prevention and intervention.

Prerequisites

Incident Command System (ICS)-100-level and ICS-200-level training. Preferred courses are Q0462 and Q0463, available through NFA Online at www.usfa.fema.gov/training/nfa/courses/online.html. Chief’s signature attests that the applicant has completed this required training.

Fall brings the return of college students to on- and off-campus housing. Explore our free campus fire safety outreach materials to learn how you can discuss fire safety with students, their parents and campus housing staff.